Rock Candy

Rock man and movie man Matt Smith is in Indianapolis, which I find through Matt is known as the "Circle City." I guess it could be called a lot of things. Besides partying and eating in Indy, Matt went and saw some of the new movies that are out:

I am so far behind on my blog entry for “Little Rocking,” Jim Harris is about to drop-kick my sorry, slacker butt ! I apologize to the Arkansas Times readers. Alas, here we go….

We got in to Indianapolis on Saturday Oct. 8. The airport is small. It is not new. I have seen many airports that are much better than Little Rock
International, but this one in INDY isn’t one of them. We roll on out to the hockey game. It is the Indiana Ice vs. Chicago Steel. The game takes place at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. The Pepsi Coliseum is the arena. I feel like we are hanging out at Barton, for a Glacier Cats game. Still,
it was fun.

After the game, it’s Hard Rock Café, followed by Howl At The Moon. We are staying at the Conrad, which is a great hotel in a perfect location down town.

Unfortunately, I saw the movie “Employee Of The Month.” My advice to you – don’t, unless you are 17 years old. A high school kid would like this, but no one else. Jessica Simpson thankfully has a minor role. She walks around with a smile quite a lot. I was grateful for the fact that she didn’t speak much. When she did, it was painful and stale. Dane Cook carries the film. Andy Dick has a funny, silly little part in the movie.

“Half Nelson” finally opened in INDY. It was a full two weeks AFTER the Little Rock opening at Market Street Cinema.

“The Departed” absolutely rocks! This is my favorite mainstream film so far this year. I think it belongs on my best films ever list. Jack Nicholson is just being Jack. He does it so well; he is an expert in the part, obviously. The direction is superb, but from the man that brought us “ Good Fellas,” “Mean Streets,” and “Casino,” what would you expect? Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen make sledgehammer impacts in smaller roles.
Matt Damon and Leonardo Decaprio have stellar performances. This has got to be an award-heavy motion picture. Mark Wahlberg hijacks this movie. He absolutely steals it. Make the man an offer he can’t refuse. Give Mark an Oscar like it fell off a truck!

More to come from the “Circle City” -- Matt Smith